CAN Orange 2010 / Algeria - Egypt (0-4) : Egypte hammered Algeria

The match, the players, the referee
The match
Though dominated and bothered ahead from the spots by the organization and the technique of the Egyptians, Algeria had the right to aim for a good result against the double African champions. But they did not take into account Monsieur Koffi. The referee from Benin should have been evicted from the CAN after having neglected an evident penalty for Gabon in the match against Tunisia. The contestable dismissal of central defender Halliche in the first half provoked Algeria's fall as well as the anger of Rabah Saadâne and his players over Hosny's awarded penalty, as it was clear that the player stopped in the run-up. Overwhelmed The Fennecs had a chance to equalize with Yebda's free kick from the edge of the area but the second half with just ten men was just too difficult to cope with.

Chaouchi defied the law of gravity to parry the goal of the break. But the Algerians amassed cards and lost Belhadj and Chaouchi in a row. It has to be said that these two sending-offs were justified. Nine and consecutively only eight players were far from being enough for a surrendering Algerian team who took two goals in the last minutes of the match. It is true that Egypt was extremely strong, it is true as well that the Algerians have not been able to keep up with their opponents, but it must be said that Mister Koffi, who is pre-selected for the World Cup 2010, did not make things easier for The Fennecs.



Algeria
CHAOUCHI failed to be sent-off after his fit of anger caused by Hosni's penalty. He took two more goals and finally had to leave the pitch after a well deserved sending-off for a sleek move. YAHIA had no problems at the right wing, but forced to be in the center after the first expulsion he was unable to control the situation any more and Zidan caused him a lot of trouble. In despite of the circumstances BOUGHERRA held out the whole encounter. A real unbeatable rock. HALLICHE, had a good start but was sent-off due to one first huge mistake followed by a foul on Emad in his surface. BELHADJ, as well was given a straight red card for a two-footed lunge. El Mohamady gave him a hard time during the match. ZIANI's precious game made things a bit better for him and the team. Midfielder MANSOURI, was squeezed by the opponents. Although he did not have as much liberty as in the match against the Ivory Coast he has been able to play a good game and lost only a few encounters. YEBDA had the possibility to equalize with a magnificent free kick. MEGHNI, in the front was constantly set under pressure and was not as efficient as in the quarter finals. MATMOUR has not been capable neither to gain free-kicks in good areas. GHEZZAL's aimless wandering at the top was of no danger.



Egypt
EL HADARY was not always at the height of the match but he was there to stop Yebda's dangerous free kick. EL MOHAMADY has been once again redoutable on the right wing even though his centers lacked precision. Midfielder GOMAA had a couple of tight fights against the Algerian defenders but he never really struggled. FATHALLA, was as efficient and reliable as for all his other CAN matches. Unfortunately he received a warning in the first half and will therefore miss the final on Sunday. El Mohamady, MOAWAD was not as performing as his alter ego but he almost scored on two occasions.. Midfielder HOSNI who played a very good match , opened the score by a very controversial penalty as he stopped in the run-up. FATHI on the other hand did not take the lead. Ahmed HASSAN could have scored an additional goal after an astonishing Egyptian action. The same can not be said of ZIDAN he was the men of the most important actions and initiated several aggressive moves of his team. EMAD who was later on injured at the shoulder was granted a penalty. ABDELSHAFI entered towards the end of the match and his first action offered a third goal to his team. GEDO justified his reputation as the best joker of this CAN Orange 2010 by scoring his forth goal of the tournament in the additional time.


The referee: M.Koffi (BEN)
The referee of Benin lacked the necessary experience for such an important match. His only rightful decision was to dismiss Belhadj and Chaouchi. Mister Koffi is the only one to blame for the highly charged atmosphere of the match and the Algerian's lost of temper. He has been influenced by the numerous contesting Egyptian players and belatedly handed Halliche his second yellow and ordered the defender off. His incapacity brought the match to a head . What a shame...